Töölönlahdenpuisto Park is part of the wider green space of Töölönlahti, one of Helsinki’s best-known recreational areas. The park is flanked by numerous cultural buildings, such as Finlandia Hall and Villa Hakasalmi, and is part of a popular set of outdoor trails around Töölönlahti bay.
In 2024, the Urban Environment Committee approved a general idea and concept plan for Töölönlahdenpuisto Park, the starting points and objectives of which form the basis for the park plan currently in preparation. The City already took some quick, experimental measures to improve the park’s pleasantness last year, and the Töölönlahti Summer Park delighted the city’s residents with its plants and water play area. The summer park will also be open for the next two summers.
From the urban south to the nature of the north
The design of the Töölönlahdenpuisto and Makasiinipuisto parks is based on increasing greenery, comfort and experiences, preserving natural values, and developing functions and smooth connections. The concept of the park areas is based on their location in the middle of very different types of areas. The parks gradually transition from the nature-oriented area of the northern shore to the more urban and park-like feel of the south.
The plan will increase the diversity and experiential qualities of the parks by increasing the number of trees and adding different types of vegetation. The City will keep the elements of the popular summer park that have proved successful and develop the themes further at the scale of the whole park area. The plan is to divide the existing large lawns into smaller areas by planting meadow plants, shrubs and perennials. The plans allow for the protection of the area’s values. The City will decide on the exact delimitation of any areas to be protected at a later stage and the way in which the protection is to be implemented during further preparation.
“The aim is to combine the wishes and ideas of the residents with the experiences and feedback from the summer park to create a park that is uniquely Töölönlahdenpuisto. We are planning to create more space for nature and experiencing it all year round, while at the same time ensuring the functionality of important routes and recreational trails in the area,” says Project Director Jere Saarikko from the City of Helsinki.
The City will preserve the shore vegetation in the northern part of the park. In addition to this, the City will combat invasive species in the area. In coastal and natural meadow areas, the City will also make efforts to avoid the human-induced wear of vegetation areas by directing natural routes to elevated boardwalks or similar delineated pathways, such as duckboards.
Nature and water as themes for playgrounds
There will be a variety of functional areas for both children and adults. The existing playground in the northern part of the park will be replaced by two play areas designed for children of all ages. The play areas will feature play equipment and surface materials with wooden finishes and structures in neutral tones, appropriate to the park area. The theme of the southern play area will be water play, while the northern play area will be characterised by nature-based learning and nature themes. The birdwatching tower on the waterfront and the ‘nature adventure trail’ that winds through the park’s varied vegetation areas support the theme of the play area. The southern water play area is based on the development of Töölönlahti Summer Park’s play area.
Töölönlahdenpuisto will also feature a winding water element that mimics natural streams and ponds, with water pumped in from Töölönlahti bay. A part of the water body will feature a bed of natural stones or sand, making it more suitable for play. The current event square will feature functions that benefit from the stone surface, such as the summer park’s dance stage and a skateboarding pool.
Karamzininranta to be transformed into a park-like square
Karamzininranta is the street between Töölönlahdenpuisto Park and Finlandia Hall. The area is currently home to Little Finlandia, which will be moved to Tapulikaupunki at the beginning of 2026 for use by the Helsinki Upper Secondary School of Media Arts.
The plan for Karamzininranta is to transform it into a largely park-like square that supports the development goals of the vibrant city centre and Töölönlahdenpuisto Park and respects the valued environment of Finlandia Hall. The area will become a comfortable and safe place for relaxation and walking. Karamzininranta and the surroundings of Finlandia Hall will be more seamlessly connected to the park area of Töölönlahdenpuisto. A water feature is also being planned for Karamzininranta to liven up the area.
Plans to be discussed at Little Finlandia on Thursday 10 April
The City will present the draft plans to residents on Thursday 10 April 2025 at 16:00–18:00 in the Honka Hall of Little Finlandia at Karamzininranta 4. After the presentation, residents can visit different stands to explore the plans, talk to experts and give their opinions on the plans.
The draft street and park plans will also be available for viewing on the City of Helsinki website Participate in city planning under Street and park plans from 9 to 29 April 2025. You can send your comments directly to the planners by email.
The aim is to have the street plan approved by the Urban Environment Committee in autumn 2025, so that construction could start in early 2026, once Little Finlandia has been moved out of the area. The decision on the park plan is expected in late 2025. Construction of the park could start in late 2026.
